Russia on Monday test-launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile, part of a system that can outperform any anti-missile system likely to be deployed, according to the officer in charge of missile forces.

The missile was launched from the Tula nuclear-powered submarine in the Barents Sea in the Arctic, a statement from the Russian navy said. It hit a designated area in the Kura testing ground on the Kamchatka Peninsula on Russia's Pacific coast.

"The launch was conducted from an underwater position as a part of training to test the readiness of the mari
ne strategic nuclear forces," the statement said.

A spokesman would not say what type of missile was tested. Itar-Tass news agency said the Tula carried Sineva missiles commissioned by a decree from President Vladimir Putin in July.

Missile tests have become regular occurrences by the armed forces in the past few years. They are viewed by the political and military leadership as evidence of a revival of military might.

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